Behavioral science or social science represents a vast body of exciting knowledge about how men and women live in society and cope with it, how they create the social world in which they live and how the miracles of science and technology impinge upon it. Thus there is an increasing recognition that behavioural science is also important for other sciences and medical science, in particular.

This work signals the beginning of a new genre of innovative textbooks in Bangladesh. This is an authoritative and need-based book which draws upon the current knowledge of behavioural or social science and has been specifically written for medical students. It is divided into two modules.

Module I provides a brief introduction to different behavioural sciences and focuses upon some of the key concepts and principles of sociology. It explores the social and cultural aspects of illness, the doctor-patient interface, and the pattern of morbidity and mortality in Bangladesh.

Module 2 provides a short exposition of the relevant concepts of psychology and stresses upon the application of psychology in understanding health and illness. It covers major areas of health psychology such as stress and illness, self-efficacy and health behaviour, lifestyle and health, management of illness.

This is an easy to follow and user-friendly textbook, which provides a useful glossary and suggestions for further readings. The book would be of interest to general readers as well.

S. Aminul Islam is Professor of Sociology at the University of Dhaka. He was educated at the University of Dhaka and Southampton in UK and has published extensively. He is the co-author of a recently published book entitled Political Culture, Political Parties and the Democratic Transition in Bangladesh.

M. Mahmudur Rahman M.A. Ph.D. (Canada) is Associate Professor of the Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka. He received post-doctoral training in Clinical Psychology from UK and is a practising psychologist.

M. Anisur Rahman Ph.D. (London) is Professor and current chair of the Department of Clinical Psychology. He was formerly Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Dhaka.

Falah-Uz-Zaman Khan MBBS, DPH, FACTM (USA) is Professor and Head of the Department of Community Medicine, Mymensingh Medical College.

M. Sultan Ul Alam MBBS, DCM, MPH (Belgium) DME (UK) is Professor and Head of the Department of Community Medicine, Chittagong Medical College.

M.A. Khalique Barbhuiya MBBS, DPH Fellow WHO was Professor and Head of the Department of Community Medicine, Dhaka Medical College. He is currently Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health at NIPSOM.